South America's direct flights to fairy tale countries are amazing. Colorful houses look like they're from a cartoon, and prices are half of Chile's.

You don't need a huge budget to squeeze into Chile's popular routes. These lesser-known countries in South America, nestled between mountains and seas, have convenient flights and are budget-friendly. With a modest budget, you can dive into a fairy tale world full of colorful houses, and a week's travel might cost only half of what you'd spend in Chile.🥰 👇Cartagena A tropical old city by the sea, where the wind carries the sweet scent of bougainvillea and the aroma of mangoes. ✨Highlights Coral stone walls enclose the entire macaron-colored old city. Bright yellow, pastel blue, and cherry pink low-rise houses are packed together, with balconies overflowing with flowers. On the cobblestone streets, you can always find artists in colorful ruffled skirts dancing Cumbia. The nearby Getsemani neighborhood hides the most vibrant local life. Old walls are covered in contrasting graffiti, and brightly colored houses are strung with lights. In the evening, the entire street fills with the smell of barbecue, and locals will pull you in to dance salsa. A 40-minute speedboat ride takes you to the Rosario Islands, where colorful thatched-roof wooden cabins float on Tiffany-blue waters. While snorkeling, palm-sized tropical fish will swim right past your hands. San Felipe de Barajas Castle is an incredible spot to watch the sunset. The ochre-colored ancient fortress stands against an orange sea, and every shutter click captures a movie-like frame. 🗓️Itinerary Day 1: Stroll leisurely through the old city, walk halfway along the city walls, catch the sunset, then find a street vendor in the square for ceviche. Day 2: Explore San Felipe Castle in the morning, then wander through Getsemani's alleys in the afternoon to find a mobile ice cream cart. Join a local street party in the evening. Day 3: Book a day trip to the islands, snorkel and relax, then return to the city in the evening. 🍤Food recommendations The ceviche is incredibly fresh. Seafood stewed in coconut milk with fried plantain chips is perfectly refreshing. Corn tortillas filled with roasted pork are so fragrant you'll lick your fingers. A large cup of freshly squeezed mango juice from a street vendor costs just a few dollars. ⚠️Travel tips The sun is strong by the sea, so be sure to pack high-SPF sunscreen and mosquito repellent. The old city has cobblestone streets, which are very hard on the feet, so don't wear high heels. Exchange some small Colombian peso bills for snacks; most larger stores accept credit cards. Don't go outside the city walls at night, and use official apps for taxis. 👇Cuenca A spring city nestled in the Andes, with an average annual temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. Red tiles and white walls are paired with colorful doors and windows, making your steps unconsciously slow down. ✨Highlights The entire old city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Low-rise houses with jacaranda climbing their walls line the cobblestone streets. The streets are full of handmade silver jewelry shops and Panama hat workshops, and the wind carries the scent of pine needles and cocoa. The cobalt blue domes of the New Cathedral can be seen from anywhere in the city. The light stone exterior walls are adorned with stained glass. Climbing to the top offers panoramic views of the entire red-roofed, colorful old city. Cajas National Park is a 40-minute drive away. The high-altitude wetlands are dotted with lakes like scattered diamonds. A gentle hiking trail might lead you to wandering wild llamas, and the cool, crisp air is wonderfully refreshing. 🗓️Itinerary Day 1: Start exploring from the main square, visit the old and new cathedrals, wander through alleys to find beautiful colorful doorways, and watch artisans weaving Panama hats. Day 2: Book a half-day tour to Cajas National Park, take the shortest hiking trail to see the high-altitude lakes, then return to the city in the afternoon for a local hot chocolate at a cafe. Day 3: Browse the local market for colorful woven scarves, stroll along the riverside promenade, and watch locals drying potatoes. 🍲Food recommendations Tripe soup is warm and appetizing. Corn tamales are fragrant with cheese. Roasted pork hock is tender and falls off the bone. Freshly squeezed raspberry juice is perfectly sweet and tart. ⚠️Travel tips At an altitude of about 2,500 meters, don't run or jump when you first arrive. Drink less alcohol and take it easy. The temperature difference between morning and evening is huge. Wear short sleeves at noon, but you'll need a thick jacket in the evening. Markets can be crowded, so keep an eye on your belongings. Do not buy products made from wild animals or plants. 👇Sucre Bolivia's pure white constitutional capital, with white houses paired with sky blue, goose yellow, and magenta doors and windows, like a fairy tale block set meticulously outlined. ✨Highlights Almost the entire old city consists of pure white buildings. Cobblestone streets wind and turn, every balcony is adorned with overflowing flowers, and around every corner, you might stumble upon a small courtyard full of bougainvillea. The colonial buildings around Plaza 25 de Mayo are as exquisite as a museum. The Casa de la Libertad still preserves murals and old furniture from the independence era, and the wooden floors creak underfoot. The viewpoint at the San Felipe Neri Monastery offers a panoramic view of the entire white city, with orange-red rooftops contrasting against white walls, and the faint silhouette of the Andes in the distance. Dinosaur Footprint Park is a half-hour drive away. Millions of years old dinosaur footprints are preserved on limestone walls. Walking on the trails feels like traveling back to prehistoric times, full of wonder. 🗓️Itinerary Day 1: Start from the main square to explore the old city, visit the cathedral and Casa de la Libertad, then climb to the monastery viewpoint in the evening for sunset. Day 2: Visit the fossil wall at Dinosaur Footprint Park in the morning, then return to the artisan market in the afternoon to find colorful woven trinkets. Day 3: Spend an afternoon at a rooftop cafe, basking in the sun and admiring the white walls and red tiles, with no need to rush your itinerary. 🥘Food recommendations Salty corn porridge is thick and warming to the stomach. Roasted lamb ribs with quinoa rice are fragrant and not greasy. Fried beef empanadas are crispy to the last crumb. The hot chocolate sold on the street is so rich it coats the cup. ⚠️Travel tips At an altitude of about 2,800 meters, prepare altitude sickness medication in advance and avoid strenuous exercise. The sun is very strong during the day, so don't forget your sun hat and sunglasses. Exchange plenty of Bolivian boliviano cash, as many small shops don't accept cards. Don't trust strangers on the street offering to be guides; find official tour operators for day trips. 👇Colonia del Sacramento A tranquil border town by the Río de la Plata, where Portuguese and Spanish colonial houses are packed together, with flowers climbing colorful walls, like a fairy tale corner forgotten by time. ✨Highlights The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cobblestone streets are polished smooth by footsteps. Cream, goose yellow, and brick-red stone houses are paired with dark wooden windows, and jacaranda climbs the courtyard walls. The river breeze carries moisture. The old ruins of the San Francisco Convent are covered in green vines, with small wild flowers growing in the cracks of the crumbling walls. Standing inside, you can hear the birds by the river. The old lighthouse on the riverbank has been shining for hundreds of years. Climbing it offers panoramic views of the entire colorful old town and the Río de la Plata, which is as wide as a sea. At sunset, the entire sky turns pink and purple. Colorful vintage cars are parked along the streets, matching the colorful houses, looking like they drove straight out of a fairy tale book. 🗓️Itinerary Day 1: Wander through the old town, walk along the cobblestone streets to see old churches and museums. When you're tired, find a riverside bench to sit and watch cargo ships slowly drift by on the river. Day 2: Wake up early to climb the lighthouse for sunrise, explore the vine-covered convent ruins in the morning, then wade in the shallow waters by the river in the afternoon, waiting for the pink and purple sunset. 🍖Food recommendations Charcoal-grilled steak is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, especially delicious with chimichurri. Fried cheese sticks are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is refreshing. Dulce de leche spread on bread is sweet but not cloying. ⚠️Travel tips The town's pace is very slow; shops close for a two to three-hour siesta at noon, so don't make a wasted trip. It's windy by the river, so bring a light jacket even in summer. The old town is tiny, so there's no need for a taxi; you can walk to all the sights.